Wayne Vacek Joins Varsity Brands As Vice President And Chief Strategy Officer

DALLAS, Oct. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Varsity Brands, the leading organization that empowers young people by encouraging participation, recognizing achievement and building community and school spirit, today announced that Wayne Vacek has joined the Company as Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, effective immediately.  Mr. Vacek will report to Varsity Brands' CEO, Matt Rubel, and assume responsibility for developing and executing business and growth strategies while identifying opportunities in the broader community and scholastic marketplaces. 

Mr. Vacek joins Varsity Brands from J. C. Penney Company, Inc. ("JCPenney"), where most recently he helped lead the strategic planning process as Vice President for Business Development and Corporate Strategy.

Mr. Rubel stated, "Varsity Brands continues to make excellent progress ensuring our three businesses – Herff Jones, BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit – possess the talent and resources to deliver outstanding experiences for young people in sport, spirit and achievement. Wayne's depth of expertise in retail and related markets, as well as his proven ability to translate opportunities into actionable results, will be very beneficial as we maximize our existing strengths and seek out new ones."

Prior to his most recent leadership role at JCPenney, Mr. Vacek served as a Strategy Director with oversight of JCPenney's e-commerce and other key growth initiatives.  Earlier in his career, he also served as Vice President of Global Business Development and Brand Management for Tempur Sealy International and Managing Director for Operations and Growth at FedEx Office.  He began his career at Bain & Company, a management consulting firm.

Mr. Vacek earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Southern Methodist University, as well as an MBA from Harvard Business School. 

About Varsity Brands

Varsity Brands is the leading organization that empowers young people by encouraging participation, recognizing achievement and building community and school spirit. This mission is fulfilled through three unique but interrelated businesses: Herff Jones, A Varsity Achievement Brand; BSN SPORTS, a Varsity Sport Brand; and Varsity Spirit.  Together, these assets promote personal, school and community pride through their customizable products and programs to elementary and middle schools, high schools, and colleges and universities, as well as church organizations, professional and collegiate sports teams and corporations.  Through its 4,400 dedicated employees and independent representatives, Varsity Brands reaches its individual and institutional customers each year via catalog, telesales, e-commerce sites and direct sales channels.

Contact:

For Varsity Brands:                                                   

Sheila Noone
[email protected]
901-251-5959

OR

Perry Street Communications

Jonathan Morgan
[email protected]
212-333-5525
214-965-9955

SOURCE Varsity Brands